Storming the tower

The group said it dismantled its secretive strategy office as its heir was indicted for bribery. Samsung has dissolved its “control tower” before, only to rebuild it. But this time pressure to reform is far stronger. The move could be a step toward lasting change.

Context News

South Korea's Samsung Group on Feb. 28 said it has dismantled its corporate strategy office, the nerve centre of operations for the sprawling conglomerate.

South Korean prosecutors said they will charge Samsung Group chief Jay Y. Lee with bribery and embezzlement. The special prosecutor's office said it would also indict four others at Samsung on charges including bribery and hiding assets overseas: group Vice Chairman Choi Gee-sung, President Chang Choong-ki, Samsung Electronics President Park Sang-jin and Executive Vice President Hwang Sung-soo. Samsung Group said in its subsequent announcement that Choi, Chang and Park had resigned.

Jay Y. Lee, 48, was arrested on Feb. 17 over his alleged role in the corruption scandal involving impeached President Park Geun-hye.

The announcement came ahead of a Constitutional Court ruling on whether to uphold parliament's December impeachment of Park.